Enforcement

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited two men for alleged shrimping violations on July 26 in Plaquemines Parish.

Agents cited Thuong Nguyen, 59, and Steven Nguyen, 27, both of Buras, for using skimmers in a closed season.

The agents were responding to complaints of illegal shrimping taking place in the Buras area. During the stop agents seized and returned 75 pounds of shrimp to the water.

Using skimmers in a closed season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail plus forfeiture of anything seized.

In addition for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to LDWF. The violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service.

Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Villerie Reggio and Agent Kyle Haydel.

Agents cited Sang V. Pham 57, for using skimmers in a closed season. Agents received complaints about a vessel illegally catching shrimp in Blind Bay. Agents observed Pham with his skimmers in the water around 10:50 a.m.

Pham then pulled the skimmers up and the nets were closed with shrimp and bycatch inside the net. Agents made contact with Pham and found him in possession of about 25 pounds of shrimp.

Using skimmers in a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail and forfeiture of anything seized.

In addition for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to LDWF. The violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service.

Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Todd Laviolette and Lt. Louis Burnett.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited three men for alleged shrimping violations on July 20 in Terrebonne Parish.

Agents cited David Blanchard, 35, and his deckhand Ellis Gilling, 35, both from Chauvin, for taking commercial fish without a commercial license, failing to comply with bait dealer permit regulations and using skimmers in a closed season. Agents also cited Kenneth McDuff, 59, of Chauvin, for allowing unlicensed fisherman to use a vessel license and gear license, and failing to comply with bait dealer permit regulations.

Agents received complaints during the past two weeks about a vessel illegally catching shrimp in Bayou Little Calliou. Agents responding to the complaints were on patrol around 1 a.m. on July 20 and observed Blanchard and Gilling unloading shrimp from the vessel.

Agents made contact with the subjects and asked to see their required licenses. Blanchard provided agents with a bait dealer permit for No Wait Live Bait LLC and a commercial gear license and a vessel license belonging to the owner of the vessel who was McDuff. Agents also learned that neither Gilling nor Blanchard possessed a commercial fishing license.

Agents found the subjects in possession of 628 pounds of dead shrimp at the time of the stop. Agents learned that McDuff gave Blanchard his commercial vessel license and gear license for his vessel for him to fish for live bait shrimp. It was also found that McDuff did not have Blanchard nor Gilling listed as a commercial fisherman under the live bait permit. Agents found that the subjects were well over the allotted two gallons of dead shrimp allowed to be possessed by a live bait vessel. Agents seized and sold the 628 pounds of shrimp.

Taking commercial fish without a commercial fishing license, allowing unlicensed fishermen to use a commercial vessel license, and allowing unlicensed fishermen to use commercial gear licenses carries a fine of $250 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Using skimmers in a closed season and failing to comply with bait dealer permit regulations brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense and forfeiture of anything seized.

In addition for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to LDWF. The violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged oyster violations on July 18 in St. Bernard Parish.

Agents cited John P. Wust, 20, of St. Bernard, and Joshua Stigler, 24, of Violet, for taking oysters from a polluted area, unlawfully taking oysters off a private lease and failing to have written permission. Agents also cited Wust for a log book violation.

Agents responding to complaints about fisherman taking oysters in polluted areas in several locations around St. Bernard Parish observed a vessel operated by Wust and Stigler actively dredging for oysters in a polluted area. After furthur investigation, agents identified several other oyster related violations and issued the appropriate citations.

Agents seized one sack of oysters and retuned them to the water. Agents seized the dredge used in the illegal taking of the oysters. Agents also seized the vessel used in the illegal activity on a department seizure order.

Taking oysters off a private lease and taking oysters from an unnaproved/polluted area each carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Taking oysters without written permission carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Violating a sanitation code for the log book on a vessel carries a $25 fine and up to 10 days in jail.

The men could also have their oyster harvester licenses revoked by the department for up to one year. The violators could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest oysters from a vessel with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.

Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Jason Gernados and Agent Blaine Wagner.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited two men for allegedly using skimmers during a closed season on July 14 in Plaquemines Parish.

Agents cited Hai Van Tong, 68, and Thoai Pong, 69, both of Buras, for using skimmers in a closed season.

Agents responding to complaints of illegal shrimping in the Buras area stopped a vessel with Tong and Pong on board and seized 3,130 pounds of shrimp. The shrimp were sold at the dock.

Using skimmers in a closed season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail plus forfeiture of anything seized.

In addition for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to LDWF. The violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged illegal shrimping and three men for alleged burglary in two separate cases on July 9 and July 10 in Terrebonne Parish.

Agents cited Shawn T. Tran, 30, of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Dung T. Hong, 48, of New Orleans, for using skimmer nets during a closed season. Agents along with Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies also arrested Devin Fanguy, John Fanguy, and Elliot Fanguy all of Dulac, for simple burglary.

On July 9 at approximately 5 p.m. LDWF agents received a complaint about closed season shrimping in Caillou Boca. Agents arrived on scene and observed a commercial shrimping vessel actively shrimping 3,671 feet inside the closed waters line.

Agents made contact with Tran and Hong on the vessel and seized 1,713 pounds of shrimp that were sold at the dock.

While escorting the vessel back to the dock agents came across a small vessel with no navigational lights at 12:50 a.m. on July 10. Agents made contact with the three men on the vessel and noticed they were transporting a 40 inch flat screen TV, 5,000 KW generator, fishing poles, a .22 rifle, electric wench among other items. Agents suspected the items were stolen and contacted the TPSO.

The TPSO confirmed the items were stolen and the men were booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail. Agents also cited Devin Fanguy for improper running lights, failing to comply with personal flotation device requirements, failing to display a valid boat registration decal and was also arrested for outstanding warrants.

The TPSO is currently investigating these three men to determine if they possess other stolen items reported from the fishing camps in the area.

Burglary brings up to a $2,000 fine and 12 years in jail. Using skimmers during a closed shrimp season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail and forfeiture of anything seized. Improper running lights, failing to comply with personal flotation device requirements and failing to display a valid decal all bring up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.

Tran and Hong could also have their gear licenses revoked by the department for up to one year. The violators could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest shrimp from a vessel with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents and Catahoula Parish Sheriff's Office deputies recovered the body of a Jonesville man following a single fatal boating incident today, July 13, in Catahoula Parish.

Agents and deputies recovered the body of Howard R. Ivey, 56, around 12:45 p.m. from the bank of Little River after his 16 foot vessel ran aground ejecting Ivey out of the vessel.

Ivey appeared to be traveling northbound on Black River and turned east into Little River when he ran aground on the northern shore in the mouth of Little River. Ivey was ejected from the vessel landing partially in the water and on the bank suffering severe injuries.

Ivey was pronounced dead on the scene and his body was turned over to the Catahoula Parish Coroner's Office to determine an official cause of death.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents with assistance from Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) personnel cited two men for alleged oyster violations on June 29 in Plaquemines Parish.

LDWF agents cited Derrick Bennett, 28, of Violet, and Nicholas Hoey, 37, of Poydrus, for taking oysters from a polluted area and from an unleased state water bottom.

Agents received a call from DHH personnel about two subjects taking oysters in an unapproved polluted area in Bayou Terre Aux Boeufs. Upon arriving on the scene agents along with DHH personnel made contact with Bennett and Hoey.

After investigating the incident and questioning all involved LDWF Agents seized 17 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water. Agents also seized the oyster dredge used in taking the oysters. The vessel involved was seized on a department seizure order.

Taking oysters from a polluted area carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Taking oysters from an unleased state water bottom carries a $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail.

The men could also have their oyster harvester licenses revoked by the department for up to one year. The violators could also be sentenced to perform 40 hours of community service and only be allowed to harvest oysters from a vessel with a vessel monitoring device for up to one year.

Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Jason Gernades and Agent Blaine Wagner.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Law Enforcement Academy today, June 29, graduated its 30th class of cadets into the ranks of LDWF Enforcement Division agents at a ceremony in Baton Rouge.

After six months of intensive physical and academic training at the academy, nine newly commissioned agents are ready to begin enforcing hunting, fishing and boating regulations that govern the use of the state's natural resources.

LDWF Secretary Charlie Melancon was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. “We feel that the six months of training you received in the academy will make you an outstanding agent in the field,” said Melancon as he addressed the class. “The job you hold is very important as you are the last line of defense in ensuring our wildlife and fishery management plans are carried out so that future generations can enjoy everything Louisiana has to offer.”

Col. Joey Broussard, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division, presented certificates and recited the Oath of Office making the cadets’ transition to commissioned agents official. “We welcome these cadets into the Enforcement Division ranks. They will now shift into phase two of their careers as they get real hands on experience during the next six months when they are assigned to a field training officer in their respective regions.”

During the graduation ceremony, Landry received the firearms award given for the best marksman in the class. Laviolette received the physical training award for being the most fit. Jackson received the academic award for having the highest grades. Laviolette won the overall award, which is a cumulative score from the firearms, academic and physical training categories.

At the academy, cadets train to enforce the state's recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws and general law enforcement work on the state's many wildlife management areas. The academy also covers general law enforcement training equal to that of other state law enforcement officers.

The graduating agents fill vacancies in LDWF’s Enforcement Division and will be assigned to a field-training officer for their first six months of duty. Now part of the agency’s commissioned officer staff, the agents will join the ranks of those patrolling land and water to primarily detect game, fish and boating law violations. These duties require travel into Louisiana's forests, swamps, fields, streams, bayous, lakes, marshlands, the Gulf of Mexico and on the state roadway system.